Tis The Season... For Decorating

Decorating dilemmas can be solved easily by using whatever you have lying around your spot. You can also gather up nature's offers from around your property. Either way you can save money and add a touch of holiday spirit in less than 5 minutes flat. Now since I had no pine cones scattered out front my place, I opted for a trip to the craft store and purchased a bag of cinnamon scented pine cones for $2.50. Can't beat that. I already had some red bows left over from last year and a beautiful silver basket purchased in the summer from Bath and Body works at the Premium Outlets. A few glass vases I use to hold my potpourri and wala my decorations are finit. Oh yeah and my table vase given to me by my auntie...emptied the flowers I keep in there on the everyday and replaced those with decorative Christmas ornaments.

The Cutest Dolls

International Black Doll and Gift Show

When a person thinks of a black doll most folks think of the cabbage patch or black barbie. Exactly my original thoughts before I became less ignorant of the art world years ago. There are artists...fiber artists who create dolls as works of art, actually black dolls. These artists like Daisy Carr, Pamela Ekkens, Carole Brothers, Joyce Stroman, and Barbara McCain are just a few of the many fiber artists/craft doll creators out there. Their work is unmatched and depicts images of realistic individuals you see often. My favorite are Daisy Carr, Joyce Stroman, and Carole Brothers. I love the colors used, and mostly the hairstyles these gorgeous dolls rock. These dolls have such a confident presence about them. Sassy and vibrant, the dolls grabbed my attention enough to encourage me to plan to attend next years New York Black Doll and Art Show and International Black Doll and Gift Show.

Indian Cusine At Home

Okay I am definitely crushing on Indian Cuisine right now. Well its sort of been my favorite for a good minute now but the point is you can create your own tasty Indian meals without getting too complicated, at home. I came across this Indian Meal kit by Gourmantra at a local grocery store over the summer and was a bit skeptical when I opened the box and read the directions before preparation. I admit I thought I would screw things up. I simply followed the directions, well I deviated a little bit by adding my own cooked and seasoned chicken. It was so damn good. It's my favorite and exactly what I go to whenever I have a taste for Indian food. The Giant supermarket chain carries it in their ethnic food aisle. Happy eating!

Chic Pumpkins for Halloween

www.bellemaison23.com/

I for one do not get all willy nilly about Halloween except to celebrate and make a fuss when it comes to holiday projects with the kids (at my childcare gigs) but when I saw these chic, goth fabulous like pumpkins I froze. "Fabulous pumpkin creations", I thought. Anyway I was blog hopping and feasted my eyes onto the beautiful Halloween crafts on Belle Maison where there is a great article on Halloween Chic (innovative ways to decorate for the Halloween holiday). Obsess over the pic and check the article when time permits.

A Creative Birthday...

So my girls (aka BFFs) decide to come up with a creative way to sike me out and cause me to just about poop my pants all at the same time. Good job ladies. It was so much fun and one of the best birthdays I ever received (well my 7th birthday surprise/slumber party my parents organized still tops all) but next to that this one is KING. Please be advised the horse I adopted for the hour of fun was SOMBRERO which = Heart Palpitations to say the least. That damn horse had me in such a frenzy I ordered our guide to get me off at once. This was the funny part to everyone but me (at the time). I was so dramatic and Sombrero was eating it up! Show Off! The horse bucked, galloped, stopped (every other minute), and formed his own trail. He even bit another horse's behind when he was put onto a leash! My kind of stallion! So my girls win creative birthday organizers of the year award for this one. Horse back riding, dinner at Bonefish Grill and great gifts= one happy Diva.

Crazy Yes! Creative...Absolutely!

Folks often ask me how I do it. How the hell am I working 3 jobs, volunteering, and managing school. How is this possible. I get the weird looks and long sighs. People do not focus on the possibilities. A parent at my job #2 asked, but what about days off? "What about them?" I replied. I work a max of 4 hours a day 3 days a week playing with kids. That isn't work to me. I'm getting paid (cash mind you) to have fun! I have a strength that has nothing to do with me alone. My spirituality keeps me balanced. I tried numerous times to balance my life on the solo and failed miserably so I had no choice but to call in for help. The best help around. Funny thing I average the same income I did as an investment rep at a well respected financial company I worked at for around 5 years. Now I can be happy doing what I love and working towards my purpose. That my friends is PRICELESS. I usually have to be at work no earlier than 2:30. That means no early mornings...well only Sundays. I work weekends but have my mornings to myself and can sneak in a matinee at the movies in the middle of the week and shop while everyone else is at work. Sweet. The absolute best, no micro management-no bosses over the shoulder. This ironically leaves lots of time for innovation since I'm rarely stressed out.

Inexpensive But Rich

Finding deals gets me all gushy inside and I just loves a challenge when it comes to shopping for clothing, accessories, and jewelry. Well I had a little soiree to attend last weekend and I also had other financial obligations. Why always around the same time. But hey, who doesn't? I had some Nine West booties I got last year for like $17 bucks (oh yeah they were like $60 something dollars on amazon) see here ...and a top I just grabbed from WalMart $9, a cardigan $16 and leggings $10, a snakeskin clutch (took the gold chain off) I got this on consignment many moons ago (I'm sure it was under $5). The colors are rich which equals Fall trends 2010. This was the final result of my innovations. Being creative with the funds and the fashions is a must. Besides everyone is doing it.